NYCAviation’s Jeremy Lindgren got a unique behind-the-scenes tour at Paine Field, boarding a 747-8F in production and getting inside the hangar to see the “greenies” that will one day take to the sky. He shares his story with the rest of us, of course, with many photos.

An Airbus A380 made a surprise visit to Boston Logan Airport today for proving runs, the first visit for the type. Great coverage was still obtained thanks to Matt Tomlin and Mark Garfinkel, who were on the scene as the US gets another A380-airport under its belt.

The largest commercial aircraft ever built in the United States, Boeing’s 747-8 Freighter, made its maiden flight today, marking an important step forward in manufacturer’s groundbreaking, but aging, 747 product line.

The founder of International Lease and Finance Company (IFLC) and the “father” of the aircraft lease business, Steven Udvar-Hazy, retired Friday from the company that he established in 1973. What is next for the aviation legend?

Spanish Typhoon shoots down four American F-15s in combat training. India seems to be a safe-haven for drunk pilots and a place where upgrades to First Class fail to produce all the amenities. An Ethiopian 737 crashes off the coast of Lebanon, Delta looks to spends on aircraft upgrades, UK says the VC-10 is safe, and China Eastern pax get $3 tix.

A TSA agent plays a joke on an unsuspecting passenger that sends him to another government service…the unemployment line. An errant US Airways CRJ is caught by an EMAS, Emirates to bring A380 back to JFK, Sully’s water-logged A320 for sale, Gulfstream off the runway at TEB, Delta adds extra MD-90s and more!

On the one-year anniversary of US Airways Filght 1549, we caught up with Air Traffic Controller Patrick Harten to talk about what has happened since the accident and learn more about what went on behind the scenes and also more about the events from his perspective.

NAACP slaps US Airways with a discrimination suit, a drunk man gets arrested after F-16s escort his plane to Colorado, two Qantas employees are detained in Vietnam and Canadian authorities tell Air Canada to maintain their nuts. Also, Embraer Lineage 1000′s first flight and the Sukhoi 100′s is coming in March.

Charlotte opens up a new runway, and brought in a DC-3 as its first flight! There are also new photos of the American Airlines 737 crash in Jamaica and the Detroit Pistons’ new MD-80. Turkish Airlines buys twenty A320 family planes, and a Hawaiian Airlines flight gets an F-15 escort while diverting back to Maui.

The 2nd Boeing 787 flies, this time in ANA colors! American Airlines 737 crashes in Kingston, Jamaica, and a Ryanair copycat does the same in Prestwick. The FAA gives St. Nick the thumbs up for Thursday night’s operations and much more!

An IL-78 that diverted to a small airport in Michigan last July has been abandoned and seized by airfield management. The DOT will be issuing a Passenger Bill of Rights, the last original 747 is delivered while Northwest will retire their last 742F on Saturday.

French passengers aboard an Aer Lingus flight were misled when an automated message mistakenly told them they were ditching in the water! We prepare for the Boeing 787 first flight tomorrow, British F/A’s vote for an Xmas strike, Thailand seizes an aircraft loaded with North Korean weapons and more!

Our own Jeremy Lindgren is bringing us exclusive photos of the 787 running tests on the ground, including taxiing and aborted takeoff tests. Check out what he’s been posting so far, and learn more about NYCA’s coming 787 coverage!

This week, the TSA leaked a sensitive procedure manual, Boeing announced a date for 787′s first flight, United placed A350 and 787 orders, Republic Airways looked to replace the Frontier Airbus fleet, the Northwest overfly drama continued and more!

More attempts to place blame on ATC in the Northwest Minneapolis overfly incident. Ryanair is skipping out on a Boeing deal, the 787’s MTOW is increased, Pakistan receives the first Saab 2000 AEW and Swiss to start ZRH-SFO.

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NYCAviation is a worldwide aerospace news and resource organization for aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. We specialize in publishing breaking news, insightful commentary and stellar photography covering all that happens not only in the world of commercial aviation, but the entire aerospace sector, including general aviation, military aviation and space. Read more…